A SHABBY Dudley town centre building has been transformed into a multi-functional community building.

Dudley Council for Voluntary Service has spent nine months refurbishing the former Age UK day care centre, which sits on a triangle of land between Stafford Street and Steppingstone Street.

Now known as DY1, the building had been given a new lease of life after remaining empty for more than three years.

The building provides office accommodation for a number of local voluntary organisations and boasts a café operated by a Pensnett-based social enterprise organisation called Lunch-on-the-Run.

Thanks to a raised stage, state-of-the-art sound system and sound-responsive lighting, the main hall would also be an ideal venue for weddings and parties and will also be available for business conferences and public meetings.

Andy Gray, chief officer at Dudley CVS, said: “We are all immensely excited and proud of what has been achieved here at DY1.

"Nine months ago this building was in a pretty sorry state, but now it is a community asset right in the middle of Dudley.

"We have great hopes that voluntary sector groups will use it as a venue for meetings and the general public will enjoy the facility for their wedding receptions and parties.”